Chapin Sisters: Not Your Father's Folk

Abigail and Lily Chapin have been singing and performing together since they can remember. Growing up in a family surrounded by musicians, they probably couldn't help it. Their father, "Tom Chapin":http://www.tomchapin.com/, is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter; their uncle, "Harry Chapin":http://www.harrychapin.com/, was the singer-songwriter famous for "Cat's in the Cradle"; and their grandfather, "Jim Chapin":http://www.jimchapin.com/, was a well-known jazz drummer. Originally a trio with sister Jessica Craven, who's taking a leave of absence to spend time with her new baby, "the Chapin Sisters":http://www.thechapinsisters.com/ are known for blending folk, pop and blues into deep, beautiful harmonies, oftentimes with haunting lyrics. "There's a sinister tenderness to this L.A. trio's sad, soft, gorgeous folk," "Paper Magazine noted succinctly":http://www.papermag.com/arts_and_style/2008/04/the-chapin-sisters.php. "This is after-dark music that's meant to creep you out. And it does." It's a mix (dubbed "folk noir" and "neo-prarie") that's been gaining attention, as they're now "on a worldwide tour":http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/news/entry/chapin_sisters_tour_blog_another_birthday_passed_and_more_shows_with_she_hi/ opening up shows and providing backing vocals for "She & Him," the band featuring actress-singer Zooey Deschanel and guitarist M. Ward. The Chapin Sisters' first full-length album, "Lake Bottom," came out in 2008. This year, they've released a five-song EP called "Oh Hear the Wind Blow." A new album, "Two," is set for release September 14. We met the sisters at a recent tour stop at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.: Here's the Chapin Sisters performing "Bird Song," a track from "Oh Hear the Wind Blow.":